Ristorante Avanti

Ristorante Avanti is among my top choices for lunch or dinner in Santa Cruz. is it strictly Italian? No. Is absolutely everything on the menu to my liking? No. (I, for one, don't think the eggplant parmigiana is good. But I have 4 Italia ... more

Ristorante Avanti is among my top choices for lunch or dinner in Santa Cruz. is it strictly Italian? No. Is absolutely everything on the menu to my liking? No. (I, for one, don't think the eggplant parmigiana is good. But I have 4 Italian grandmothers, so that's tough competition). The specials are always a good choice, and the duck breast is superb. The salads are likewise excellent and perfectly dressed, not drowning in pools of goopey dressing as in so many restaurants. The wine selection is respectable, and they make one of the best cappucinos in the area. I definitely recommend it for an afternoon or evening of fine food in a casual atmosphere. less

A regular lunch destination for UCSC staff, we can generally get in and out for lunch in the hour we have. Excellent pastas, especially the roast chicken with fusilli. I have a hard time ordering anything else! My co-workers swear by the eggplant pa ... more

A regular lunch destination for UCSC staff, we can generally get in and out for lunch in the hour we have. Excellent pastas, especially the roast chicken with fusilli. I have a hard time ordering anything else! My co-workers swear by the eggplant parmesan, tho I;ve never had that myself. This sounds like aminor thing, but the bread that comes with the entrees is heavenly! less